`Spoilt’ house cow named Miss November

`Spoilt’ house cow named Miss November

Ecologist Natalie Waller might not be a farmer but that doesn’t stop her loving dairy cows.

Natalie’s “spoilt house cow” Shiralee has just been named Miss November in Legendairy’s online calendar.

The calendar is part of Dairy Australia’s celebration of the special bond Australia’s Legendairy farmers have with their animals and it was part of what attracted Natalie to follow Legendairy on Facebook.

“I think Legendairy is awesome because farmers don’t get enough recognition,” she said. “It’s good to see the connection farmers have with their animals.”

The University of Queensland ecologist and researcher has her own special bond with cows.

“I’m not a farmer but I love cows and wanted one so we could have our own milk,” Natalie said. “I think cows are beautiful animals.”

Shiralee also plays a valuable role on Natalie’s 48-hectare hobby farm at Speewah in northern Queensland.

Along with being a much-loved pet, the nine-year-old Illawarra cow delivers fresh milk and provides grass trimming duties.

“She does rotational grazing with the horses and eats all the tropical grasses that the horses don’t eat,” Natalie said.

Shiralee was bred by Greg English of Eachamvale Dairy and was purchased by Natalie three years ago after she advertised on Gumtree for a house cow.